NRG4-ErbB4 signaling represses proinflammatory macrophage activity

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2021 Jun 1;320(6):G990-G1001. doi: 10.1152/ajpgi.00296.2020. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Abstract

Proinflammatory macrophages are essential drivers of colitis and express the growth factor receptor ErbB4. This study tested the role of ErbB4 and its specific ligand, NRG4, in regulating macrophage function. We show that endogenous NRG4-ErbB4 signaling limits macrophage production of proinflammatory cytokines in vitro and limits colitis severity in vivo and thus is a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

Keywords: ErbB4; NRG4; TNF; colitis; colon; macrophage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colitis / metabolism
  • Colon / metabolism
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Inflammation / genetics
  • Inflammation / metabolism*
  • Interleukin-10 / genetics
  • Interleukin-10 / metabolism
  • Macrophage Activation / physiology
  • Macrophages / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Neuregulins / metabolism*
  • Receptor, ErbB-4 / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Neuregulins
  • neuregulin-4
  • Interleukin-10
  • Erbb4 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, ErbB-4